Chapter 140
Blake’s POV
The ballroom went quiet as everyone stared at me. The cake sat there with its flickering candles, waiting for my response.
“Yes,” I said. “Today we’re celebrating Audrey Sinclair’s birthday.”
I searched for Audrey in the crowd. She stood frozen in that red dress, her eyes wide. When our gazes locked, she quickly looked away.
“I owe Audrey a birthday celebration,” I added.
This was a promise I’d made to my grandfather two years ago. A month back, when discussing with William how Audrey had cared for me on Long Island, mentioned wanting to thank her. William gave me that disapproving look I knew too well, reminding me that I never kept my word about her birthday celebration.
That’s when I remembered my commitment. I immediately checked her birthday and set this up. But I never expected that in the short month between planning this party and her actual birthday, everything would fall apart the miscarriage, the divorce…
—
Laurel’s fingers dug into my arm. “Blake darling, you planned this… for her?”
Before I could answer, Thalia marched over, her pink dress swishing angrily.
“Blake!” she snapped, eyeing the reporters still filming. “Wasn’t today supposed to be your proposal to Laurel? How could it possibly be Audrey Sinclair’s birthday celebration!”
“I never said that,” I replied. “You assumed.”
Thalia recovered quickly, turning toward Audrey with a scowl. “What’s there to celebrate about her birthday? She trapped you while you were in a coma, married you when you couldn’t consent, then threatened divorce when you woke up!”
Audrey spoke before I could respond. “My birthday isn’t worth celebrating,” she said coolly. “I thought today was Mr. Parker and Miss Rose’s engagement too. If I’d known this was Mr. Parker’s attempt at celebrating my birthday…” She paused. “I wouldn’t have shown up.”
Astrid stepped up beside her. “This birthday party has zero sincerity. If we’d known, we wouldn’t have bothered coming!”
“Miss Wilson, that’s not fair,” Michael cut in. “Mr. Parker personally selected everything – the decorations, the guests, the custom cake. He’s very thoughtful.”
I watched Audrey’s face. Surprise flickered across it before settling into disappointment.
“Thoughtful?” she said quietly. “If Mr. Parker had truly been thoughtful, he wouldn’t have gotten the date wrong.”
I was confused. “What do you mean?”
“Blake Parker, my official records show my birthday is today. But during our entire marriage, we celebrated my birthday on the 15th. The 17th is Victoria Sinclair’s birthday. She and I had our identities switched when we were babies – did you forget?”
”
She was right. I had forgotten. I’d checked her official papers instead of remembering the actual day we’d celebrated for years. My face burned with embarrassment.
“You’ve never truly celebrated my birthday properly, so it’s normal you don’t remember,” Audrey said. “I already celebrated two days ago with Astrid and James. I was happy. You guys enjoy this party yourselves.”
She grabbed her dress and headed for the exit.
“Wow, so thoughtful – you couldn’t even get the date right!” Astrid called out. “Audrey’s divorced Rose’s birthday someday, and you’re screwed!”
you,
Pop quy try put So she won’t hold it against you. But mess up Miss
She turned to Audrey. “Let’s grab a real drink somewhere else!”
I watched them leave, unable to find the right words.
Laurel’s POV
–
I bit my lip, watching Audrey walk out in that red dress the one Blake bought her. Tonight was supposed to be my proposal. Instead, I found myself at my boyfriend’s ex–wife’s birthday party.
1/3
Chapter 140.
“Blake darling, I touched his arm. “Miss Sinclair is… being so disrespectful…”
Blake didn’t respond. He just stared at the door where she’d disappeared.
‘Laurel!” Jennifer rushed through the crowd, her face pale. “Something terrible has happened!”
‘Why are you so panicked?” I frowned, approaching her. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s a disaster!” She shoved her phone into my hands. “Look!”
I stared at the screen, my stomach dropping. Someone had exposed Parker–Rose Studio – all the funding records, staff lists, and proof I’d hired trolls to trash Audrey online. The evidence jumped out in bright red text on white backgrounds. Whoever did this had been collecting dirt from when the scandal first broke until 7 AM this morning. Each accusation came with receipts – impossible to deny.
The post had been sitting online for over an hour with zero attention. Only after my reporters started livestreaming the event and the internet blew up did people notice this bomb.
Now two hashtags were blowing up: #LaurelRoseSmearCampaign Exposed and #ThoughtItWas ProposalActuallyExWifes Birthday. The comments section was a nightmare:
[Never would’ve guessed! Laurel Rose acts all sweet and smart in public, but behind the scenes she’s vicious. They’re already divorced, yet she’s still paying trolls to attack Audrey online.]
[Now I get why Audrey got trashed so hard lately. Seemed excessive – who hates a regular person that much? Mystery solved: paid trolls!]
[Laurel thought Blake was proposing tonight, but he was throwing his
ex–wife a
birthday party instead. LMAO. How embarrassing!]
The messages felt like daggers. Each word more painful than the last.
“How did they find out?” I whispered, scrolling frantically. “Who leaked this?”
Jennifer shook her head. “Someone shared screenshots of payments and instructions to the troll farm. Everything leads back to Parker–Rose Studio.”
“Laurel, calm down!” Jennifer said loudly, giving
Ime a look. “With your health condition, you can’t get this upset!”
I caught her hint immediately. I clutched my chest and fell into her arms. “I feel… dizzy…”
“Mr. Parker!” Jennifer called out. “Please help! Laurel doesn’t look well!
Blake was at my side instantly, lifting me in his arms. “Laurel, are you okay?”
I buried my face against his chest, letting tears come. “Blake darling… the emotions… my stomach hurts so much…”
“We should get you to a doctor,” he said firmly.
“The people online are lying about me,” I whispered weakly. “I didn’t do those things…
“Don’t worry about that right now,” Blake said. “Your health
N
comes first.
Michael rushed over. “Sir, if you leave now, what about the birthday cake and celebration..
Blake’s expression hardened. “Since nobody’s celebrating a birthday today, cancel everything!”
I nestled against him as he carried me through the crowd. The night hadn’t
gone
as
planned, but I still had Blake’s protection.
In Blake’s car, I let him buckle me in, moving slowly like I was in pain.
“Blake darling… can you help with the online rumors?” I asked softly.
A
“Don’t worry about that now, just focus on getting better,” he replied, starting the engine.
I touched his arm. “But if we don’t fix this soon, my career might be over… Blake darling, I only have less than three months left. I just want to accomplish something before I go.”
Blake’s movements paused. He took a deep breath, his expression determined as he turned to me. “Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve already found the world’s best gastric cancer specialists for you.
I won’t let you
die.
